Hunter Biden just tossed a verbal Molotov cocktail into the political arena with a podcast interview that's got everyone talking.
The New York Post reported that during an appearance on the “Wide Awake Podcast” with host Joshua Rubin, Hunter Biden, son of the former president, stirred up a storm by addressing extremism and media accountability with some fiery takes.
The conversation kicked off when Rubin raised concerns about escalating extremism, asking if both political sides should cool their jets. Biden, however, had a different take, pushing back against the idea of dialing down the heat.
“I’m going to get myself in trouble for saying this. No, we need to turn the temperature up,” Biden declared on the podcast. Well, that’s one way to grab headlines, but it’s worth unpacking what he meant before the pitchforks come out.
Biden quickly clarified that his call to “turn the temperature up” wasn’t a green light for violence—far from it. He emphasized, “I 100% did not mean violence,” insisting instead on speaking truth to those in power. That’s a noble sentiment, though some might argue it’s a fine line when emotions are already running high.
His point seems to be that Democrats need to stop pulling punches and confront issues head-on. But in a polarized climate, does ratcheting up the rhetoric risk fanning flames rather than dousing them? It’s a question worth pondering as political discourse grows ever more tense.
Biden didn’t stop at political strategy; he took direct aim at CNN host Jake Tapper over a text exchange with President Donald Trump. “That’s not journalism,” Biden charged, calling it a failure of responsibility. Ouch—that’s a jab at the heart of media credibility.
He wasn’t alone in his critique, as MS NOW host Lawrence O’Donnell also questioned CNN’s framing of the exchange as “breaking news” and an “exclusive.” If even fellow media figures are raising eyebrows, it suggests a deeper unease about journalistic standards in today’s fast-paced news cycle.
CNN, for its part, stood by Tapper, with a spokesperson asserting that their journalists seize every chance to question those in power and share insights with viewers.
That’s a fair defense, but when trust in media is already shaky, such incidents fuel skepticism among conservatives who feel the press often plays favorites.
Biden widened his net, taking shots at CNN’s Abby Phillip and political commentator Scott Jennings. He accused Jennings of repeating falsehoods without sufficient pushback from Phillip, painting a picture of a media landscape failing its duty to fact-check. It’s a critique that resonates with many who see bias in mainstream outlets.
He also warned that the media sphere is increasingly controlled by powerful interests, claiming it’s being “gobbled up by oligarchs.” That’s a spicy accusation, and while it might sound like a conspiracy to some, it taps into real concerns about corporate influence over information.
CNN hasn’t yet responded to these broader criticisms, leaving the door open for speculation on whether they’ll address Biden’s pointed remarks. Silence can speak volumes, especially when public trust is on the line.
Biden’s comments, while controversial, highlight a frustration shared by many on both sides: the struggle to address extremism without escalating conflict. His insistence on speaking boldly might appeal to those tired of political tiptoeing, but it risks misinterpretation in a world quick to assume the worst.
For conservatives, this episode underscores a broader issue—whether the media and political class are truly holding themselves accountable. Biden’s critiques of CNN echo long-standing grievances about perceived liberal bias, even if his solutions raise their own set of questions.